by Jim Plautz
Carlos was 17 and ranked the #1 junior player in Spain and #3 worldwide. He has just returned from the European Championships where he lost in the finals. Carlos was up a set and a break when he pulled a hamstring. He continued playing, but was obviously slowed by the injury, eventually losing; 3-6, 6-4, 6-1. He was now looking at a four to six week rehab.
“Sergio, I hate to lose this kid, but he needs to get in better shape and he needs better competition in than we have here if he is going to continue to improve. He is starting to develop bad habits because everything is so easy.”
“You’re right, Fritz. He isn’t quite ready to turn pro, but he is close. He will get some great competition at Wimbleton and the French Open junior tournaments.”
“That’s good, Sergio, but I was thinking of going a step farther. What would you think of sending him to the United States and let him train in Florida or California?”
“You mean something like Bollettieri’s tennis academy in Florida? That guy is a prima donna.”
“What do you think about Saddlebrook Tennis Resort in Tampa, Florida? Martina lives near there and raves about it and a lot of the pros train there. They have also have a great rehab center and sports psychologist, Jim Lenoir. This is exactly what Carlos needs right now. He has the game, but he needs to get in better shape and be tougher mentally to move to the next level. If nothing else, it would be a nice change of scenery for Carlos.”
“I gather you have looked into this already,” Sergio said with a shrug. “Have you mentioned it to Carlos?”
Fritz smiled, “He’s ready to go. All we need is your say so.”
“You were right before when you said it would be a shame to lose him, there won’t be another like him in my lifetime. But, it’s time. He can go on one condition, you go with him.”
Carlos and Fritz were off to Saddlebrook.
Construction of the Saddlebrook indoor stadium was proceeding at breakneck speed and was on pace for the June grand opening. The WTA had scheduled their event for July and had requested a $500,000 non-refundable deposit from tournament sponsors. The pressure was on.
The main stadium would house four indoor courts with retractable stands that would seat 6,000 for the stadium court and 500-1,000 for each of the outer courts. The original concept called for a retractable roof but this notion was vetoed due to costs and time constraints. A visit to Milwaukee’s Miller Park was enough to convince everybody of the potential problems and delays that could occur. The Milwaukee Brewer organization was continuing to have leakage and mechanical breakdowns two years after the park opened.
The plans also were modified and enhanced to include a 10,000 square foot spa and fitness center located on property just outside the Saddlebrook complex. The upscale facility would include an indoor basketball court, a 50-yard football field, exercise center and 1st class Spa and fitness center. Named “Sports and Field,” it featured a private entrance and workout facility for “professional athletes,” obviously trying to appeal to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Lightning, Devil Rays and NY Yankees who had their spring training facility in Tampa.
Sports and Field was scheduled to open in March. Simpson Construction was the general contractor and retained overall control and responsibility although most of the work was sub-contracted to another construction company. Separating the two projects made it possible to achieve our deadline and also made it easier for non-Saddlebrook residents from the fast growing area known as New Tampa to have access to the training facility.
Marco gave the following report at a December staff meeting. “Jim, I don’t want to jinx us, but it looks like we are a couple weeks ahead of schedule on both projects. The indoor stadium should be ready by mid June.”
“That’s fantastic, Marco. I was going to offer your team a nice incentive bonus if we meet our schedule, but I guess that won’t be necessary.”
“A lot can happen between now and then,” Marco replied with a grimace. “I should have kept my mouth shut.”
Marco wasn’t worried. He knew that there was a bonus coming if they met the deadline. He knew me well enough to know this was my way of telling him. The others in the room knew it too although it didn’t stop them from telling Marco how he screwed up.
Carlos and Fritz took a two-bedroom suite overlooking the ninth green of the Arnold Palmer golf course, about 500 yards and $300 per night away from the motel-like dormitory rooms where Pete and the other players stayed. The suite was courtesy of the Spanish Tennis Federation and supposedly justified by its proximity to the Spa and Fitness Center that Carlos needed to rehabilitate his leg.
Shawn Foster, the new head tennis pro that had replaced Fred Liu, met them in the lobby. “Go ahead and unpack and then let me show you around. How about meeting down here in an hour; dress casual because we will be riding around in a golf cart.”
Shawn started with the guest facilities around the hotel including the spa and fitness center, outdoor swimming pools and restaurants. “Do either of you play golf?” Shawn asked. “There are two nice golf courses that are available to the tennis members during certain times of the day based upon availability. Guests obviously have priority.”
“Why is that?” asked Carlos with a straight face.
“I assume because they pay the bills,” Shawn answered, not sure if Carlos was kidding. Let’s take a ride down to the tennis courts. The kids should be out of school and into their afternoon practice session.”
Carlos looked at Fritz; “school, you have got to be kidding.”
“Not to worry, Carlos, although I did sign you up for a Berlitz English class. I figure that might come in useful to learn conversational English and idioms.”
“Stop here,” Carlos yelled as he jumped out of the cart. He had spotted something or someone on the courts.
“That’s Ambre,” Shawn said when he figured out what Carlos was looking at. “She’s the top ranked junior in the world.”
“I know who she is,” Carlos replied dismissively. “I think I’m going to like it here,” he said as he sauntered over to the court.
Ambre noticed the commotion but tried to concentrate. She was at the net volleying against two girls that were drilling groundstrokes at her. After a few minutes, she rotated to the other side of the net she glanced over to see who was watching, and recognized Carlos immediately. “Well, if it isn’t DQ himself” she said with a smile, referring to the first time they had met in Paris when Carlos had been disqualified for missing his semi final match. “To what do we owe this honor?”
Carlos was thinking that she looked even better than she did at the Orange Bowl last December. “I heard that you missed me and wanted to take me to dinner tonight,” Carlos replied with a smile that made Ambre’s heart flicker. “Do we have a date?”
Pete heard about it the next day, and the day after, and the day after. Everyone wanted to tell him the bad news and gauge his reaction. Ambre was the only one that wouldn’t talk about it. “It’s none of your business, Pete. I can see who I want. Besides, Carlos and I are old friends.”
“But I thought we were kind of going together,” Pete argued, feeling a little encouraged. “I thought we were having a pretty good time together, I know, I was. Let’s go out for a pizza Friday night and talk about it.”
“I can’t, Pete. I already have plans for the weekend. We probably need a break from each other anyway.”
Pete was beginning to see the handwriting on the wall, but tried to give it one more shot. “Ambre, I love you,” Pete pleaded, but knew it was a mistake as soon as the words left his mouth. He had opened himself and ruined any chance he still had to get her back. Ambre didn’t let him off easily.
“Grow up, Pete,” Ambre retorted as she rolled her eyes and walked away.
Chapter 20
Another Orange Bowl